Golden State Warriors' David Lee (10) and Jermaine O'Neal (7) react after Lee scored during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) less

Golden State Warriors' David Lee (10) and Jermaine O'Neal (7) react after Lee scored during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in New York. (AP ... more

Photo: Frank Franklin II / Associated Press

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and Golden State Warriors center Jermaine O'Neal (7) celebrate after Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) hit a shot to tie the game at the end of the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Sunday, April 13, 2014. The Blazers won the game 119-117. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes) less

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and Golden State Warriors center Jermaine O'Neal (7) celebrate after Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) hit a shot to tie the game at the end of the ... more

Photo: Steve Dykes, Associated Press

Warriors' Jermaine O'Neal in spotlight against Clippers

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Los Angeles --

Jermaine O'Neal has talked openly about this possibly being his final NBA season.

If it is, what a way to go out.

With Andrew Bogut expected to miss the Warriors' first-round series against the Clippers with a fractured rib, O'Neal will start at center - a position fitted with the responsibility of being the defensive anchor against the league's most high-powered offense.

"I'm excited for the opportunity. If you don't relish these types of opportunities, then I'm not sure if you're a real competitor at this level," said O'Neal, who is playing his 18th NBA season. "I'm very prideful and very competitive. I think a lot of that is going to play itself into this series.

"I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to it being a physical one, I'm looking forward to it being an intense one, and I'm looking forward to it being everything that the people say it may be."

The Warriors and Clippers could be the league's best first-round series, because of the intrigue the teams create on and off of the floor.

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Based on 100-possession averages, the Warriors were the NBA's No. 3 defense and the Clippers were the top offense. While they were playing at elite levels, the teams also found time to direct some physical shots and verbal jabs at each other.

If the series is to live up to its potential, O'Neal is going to have to lead a committee of Warriors - along with Draymond Green, Marreese Speights and Harrison Barnes - trying to replace Bogut.

"I think everybody on this team knows they have to do more," O'Neal said.

The 35-year-old averaged 7.9 points (50.4 percent shooting), 5.5 rebounds and 0.9 blocked shots per game this season. Though he had to miss 38 games due to injuries, O'Neal showed a penchant for elevating his game at key moments.

"He's a guy who has given us everything in his tank, and he's a proud guy who has had a tremendous career," Warriors head coach Mark Jackson said. "To be on a huge stage, against an outstanding team, with bigs who are going to challenge him, I would think that he would feel like there is no better way to close it out."

It won't be an easy task as the Clippers' front line includes two of the league's top four dunkers, DeAndre Jordan (No. 1 with 245) and Blake Griffin (fourth with 176). The two love to get out in transition and race to catch lobs from Chris Paul.

When the Warriors have had success against the Clippers the past two seasons, they've refused to allow momentum-gaining alley-oops. They've played physical defense, forced Jordan and Griffin to earn their points at the foul line and dominated the boards.

Bogut was a big part of that success, and the Clippers say they're preparing as if the big man will play in the series.

"If he plays, great. If he doesn't play, great. We're good, either way," Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said. "In some ways, it makes them more dangerous, because they go small and stretch you out even more."

Although not having back-to-back sets in the playoffs helps healing, O'Neal hasn't averaged 35 minutes per game in a playoff series since 2006. The Warriors are going to have play stretches of smallball with either Speights or David Lee at center and Green or Barnes at power forward.

They had great success with a small lineup after Lee was injured last year. They're at their best when they push the tempo and spread the floor - two things that could force Rivers to counter.

"To me, the key is: Can Mark Jackson make Doc Rivers go small?" TNT analyst Reggie Miller said. "Without Bogut, I think Golden State has to play small. If they play small, does Doc Rivers blink and take DeAndre Jordan off the floor, bring in 'Big Baby' (Glen) Davis to play alongside Blake? Who blinks first?"

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